Avid Acutus Reference Turntable Reviewed

HTR Product Rating

Performance

4 Stars

Value

4 Stars

Overall

4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Vinyl has made a huge splash in the audiophile news lately. Many think the media is making a comeback, but for some of us, vinyl never went away. The sound of purely analog reproduction has a texture to it only the finest digital players can muster. Avid, a British company led by Conrad Mas, has been making turntables since 1995 and has developed one hell of a cult following, in England and in audiophile communities worldwide.

The $19,995 Acutus Reference is the current top of Avid's line and is built to maximize every element of sound from your collection of vinyl. From its super-heavy 10 kilo platter to its unique computer-designed suspension, hand-built motor and ultra-accurate outboard power supply, it's a very serious turntable. The Acutus Reference elevates vinyl playback beyond what was previously considered possible, with powerful bass and smooth mids and highs. The table's aesthetics are beyond reproach as well. This is simply one of the finest-looking pieces of audio jewelry made, sure to provide both auditory and visual statements to any system it graces. The turntable comes with a large screw-down record clamp to enhance the interface between vinyl and platter.

High Points • Heavy platter mass, coupled with a hand-built motor and specially designed power supply, ensures absolute accuracy in rotation for the best possible sonics for your vinyl. • The unique computer-designed suspension allows the table to be easily leveled while maintain equal tension, maximizing the suspension without any drawbacks. • This is simply one of the finest-looking turntables made and, thanks to recent changes in the global economy, it currently retails for $19,995, $5,000 less than only a year ago.

Low Points • This is a large and heavy table that will require a solid platform. I recommend using something from AudiAV racks, as they make some of the most insanely built audio-performance furniture. • The price is for the table only; you still will need to purchase a tone arm, cartridge and possibly a phono preamp, depending on your system configuration.

Conclusion The Avid Acutus Reference is one of the finest turntables made today and has both sonics and aesthetics to die for. If you are a serious vinyl collector, you owe it to yourself to have a listen to this table if you ever get a chance. For many of us, this table will remain eye candy, but for the lucky few who have the system and bankroll to afford this lust-worthy set-up, there will be the rewards of some of the finest analog sound available.

The 23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

There is no shortage of crazy priced products in the world of audiophila. We've created a list of some of the most fantastic products ever. If you've got 9-figure Powerball money - we recommend you go and seek these products out. If you a mere millionaire worry no as we've got lots of other goodies for you to consider for your 2-channel system. In the meantime, enjoy a tour of the most amazingly wonderful, cost-is-no-object audiophile products ever . . .

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

1. Focal Grande Utopia BE Loudspeakers
Currently priced at $269,000 per pair, these French made, 94 dB efficient speakers are considered by audiophiles and recording engineers to be about as good as money can buy. Wilson Audio used to use Focal tweeters for decades as Focal’s drivers are top of the line. Check out our review of the Focal Diablo Utopia speakers if you're on a slightly smaller budget.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

2. Wilson Audio XLF Loudspeakers
Priced at over $200,000 per pair, the Wilson Audio XLF is many levels of revision past its original “Grand SLAMM” or X1 speakers - not to mention the David Wilson installed “WHAM” speaker systems of the early 1990s. If that's out of your price range the $68,000/pair MAXX Series 3, also from Wilson Audio, might be a better fit.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

3. Magico Ultimate Loudspeakers
$1,200,000? Why not? These horn driven speakers are nearly as tall as they are deep and they come with a subwoofer that is about as big as a Fiat 500. How do they sound? They weren’t plugged in at CES this year as we would have loved to take a listen. Perhaps someday.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

4. Goldmund Epilogue Speakers
Want a swiss watch-like speaker? Goldmund has the answer for you if you’ve got the coin and by coin I mean over $300,000 per pair. These box-like speakers have been around since the late 1980s but you have to love the installation with the two Andy Warhol shoes behind it. Just know the two Warhols are worth less than the speakers.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

5. California Audio Technology Elite Speakers
CAT speakers are used more by custom installation firms who seek high performance speakers that can be built into walls, cabinets or even stand on their own. Expect prices in the $500,000 and up range.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

6. Ceasaro Horn Acoustics Omega 1 with Bass Horns
$1,000,000 for speakers or sculpture? You be the judge with these uber-exotic transducers.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

7. Wisdom Audio LS4s Speakers
These hybrid-ribbon, bi-amped speakers are about as good as you will ever hear from the on-wall format. Compare with the best from Wilson,Magico,YG and others. $80,000 per pair. Check out our review of Wisdom's Sage Series speakers if you aren't into the air purifier look.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

8. Acapella Arts Audio Sphaeron Excalibur
Do horn speakers make you horny? If you’ve got $380,000 in your pocket, you can find out.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

9. DynamKKs Ultima
Are you going through your audiophile cubist stage? If so, at $365,000 per pair - these German speakers could be right up your alley.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

10. FM Acoustics Inspiration XS-1 $350,000
Talk about a “Tower of Power”. These $350,000 speakers bring that obelisk from Led Zeppelin Presence to life right in your living room without even putting the record on your turntable.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

11. Adam Audio OSS
Making their hay in the pro audio market, Adam Audio has a speaker system that is designed to go toe to toe with the big boys for a mere $325,000 per pair.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

12. Verity Audio Monsalvat
One of the best sounding speakers every year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the Verity Audio Monsalvat, priced at around $325,000 per pair.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

13. Avalon Acoustics Tesseract Statement
Finally, a pair of speakers under $300,000 for our ultimate list - this time from Colorado’s Avalon Acoustics.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

15. Hansen Audio Grand Master
At $240,000 per pair, don’t confuse Hansen Audio’s Grand Master speakers with the Cello speakers of the same name. The Cello’s were once the most expensive in the market in the mid-1990s and were priced at $80,000 per pair at their highest.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

16. Sonus faber Fenice
At $180,000 you get to pick if you want a Ferrari or a pair of super-sexy Italian speakers. Which one sounds better? That’s your call as the growl of a prancing horse from Maranello is pretty compelling but a 458 can’t playback The Wall or Electric Ladyland quite as well. I’m just saying’...

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

17. Cabasse La Sphere
For $175,000 you get one part robot and one part audiophile globe. Not a bad value if you’ve been shopping for a robot lately and I am not talking about those ones that vacuum your floor.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

18. MBL X-Treme Loudspeakers
$180,000 gets you about the most extreme speakers ever made in Germany from MBL. Check out our review of the MBL 101 Loudspeakers.

23 Most Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time

19. YG Acoustics Sonja
At $107,000 per pair, the YG Acoustics Sonjas are the company’s most pricey speaker as well as one of its most lauded. Or get the Carmel from YG for the bargain price of $18,000.